Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

ENDORSING THE PROPOSED FDA SMOKING REGULATIONS

Adopted by the 107th Annual Convention of the
Central Conference of American Rabbis
March, 1996

Background:

Protecting Children from Tobacco
Smoking is the most preventable cause of death in the US. Sadly, our children
are key targets of the tobacco industry advertising and marketing. Statistics
show that the average teenage smoker starts at 14 1/2 years old and becomes a
daily smoker by the age of 18. Moreover, 90% of all smokers begin before the
age of 18, and more than one-third start before the age of 14. Sixty-seven
percent of those who use smokeless tobacco begin before the age of 12. Studies
have shown that if people do not begin to smoke as children or teenagers, it
is unlikely they will ever do so.

The Jewish tradition teaches that we are all created b'tzelem elohim-- in the
image of God--making each human life as precious as the next. The Torah
teaches us to "choose life" and, according to Maimonides, obliges people to
avoid things that are detrimental to the health and the body and to condition
themselves to things that heal and fortify it. Smoking clearly falls into the
former rubric and can easily be deemed by Jewish sensibility as harmful and
therefore unacceptable.

Rates of tobacco related diseases are higher for people who begin smoking when
they are young. These illnesses include lung cancer, emphysema, and
respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Tobacco use is the leading
preventable cause of death in the United States; it is responsible for 1 out
of every 5 deaths each year.

In August, the FDA proposed steps to protect children from tobacco, which is
addictive and lethal. The proposed regulations serve to limit access of
minors to cigarettes and smokeless tobacco through restrictions on sales and
to reduce the appeal of tobacco by restricting advertising and promotion.
Such limitations on commercial advertising have been upheld by the Supreme
Court. Successes in places such as New Zealand and Canada shows that such
restrictions cut both tobacco consumption and the number of smokers.
Specifically FDA proposed regulations would: